Shovel step or guard



(No Model.)

K. H.- ELLIOTT. V

' SHOVBL STEP 0R GUARD. No. 310,567. Patented Jan. 13,1885.

' Ji l? Uni-ran KING H'. ELLIOTT, OF BURLINGTON, VERMONT.

SHOVEL STEP OR GUARD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 310,567, dated January 13, 1885.

Application filed March 29, 1884.

T0 aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, KING H. ELLIOTT, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Burlington, in the county of Ohittenden and State of Vermont, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shovel Steps or Guards, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to improvements in steps or guards for shovel-blades, designed as a rest or support for the foot in pressing the blade into the ground; and it consists in a removable attachment to the top of the shovelblade which shall afford a more broad and flat surface for the protection and support of the boot or shoe while using the shovel. Iattain these objects by the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my removable step or guard. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the under side of the step, showing the position of the projecting points designed to hold it in place. Fig. 3 is a perspective View showing the application of the device to a shovel.

Similarletters refer to similar parts th roughout the several views.

A represents a flat metallic bar, formed to rest upon and fit the top edge of the blade of a shovel on either side of the shovel-handle B. It is designed for a step or guard for the foot while pressing the blade 0 into the earth. Its

extremity a next to the handle B is turned upward at right angles, and is slotted to admit a screw or bolt, f, in the side of the handle B, to assist in retaining it in position.

I) is 'a metallic point projecting from the lower side of the step or bar A, at its interior end, and designed to be driven into the (No model.)

wood which forms the base of the handle 13. d d are also metallic projections attached to the under side of the step or bar A, and intended to press tightly against the front and rear surfaces alternately of the shovel-blade O, to prevent anylateral motion of the bar when in place. If desired, these projectionsmay be more securely attached to the blade by means of a rivet, (2.

Thus constructed the device is simple, cheap, and can be readily attached to the top edge of either or both sides of a shovel-blade, and it is removable at pleasure. When in position, it forms a broad firm support for the foot, and an important protector to the sole of the'boot or shoe, which otherwise is liable to be cut, worn, or injured by the top edge of the blade, which is, in shovels especially, generally thin and sharp.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. The shovel metallic guard A, having a slotted projecting end, a, for securing it to the shovel-handle B, the metallic point I), de-

signed to be driven into the wooden base of the handle, and the alternate projections d, to prevent its lateral movement, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a shovel-blade, of the removable step or guard A, secured to the handle by means of a screw or bolt, f, and point I), and to the blade 0 by the alternate projections d, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I do aiiix my signaturev in presence of two witnesses.

KING H. ELLIOTT. Witnesses:

CHARLES E. ALLEN, CHAS. F. LEWIS. 

